Kobalt/Lowes Disappoint

[GreenLBZ]

I dunno if anyone caught this on sale for $13, but it's a disappointment. Normally a $30 set. I thought this would be a decent cheap stubby set since I don't have any stubby tools.

I paid $6 for shipping and it arrives in a flimsy envelop with a hole in it and parts missing, including the adapter to use the 1/4" sockets. Various other parts were loose in the bag. The adjustable wrench has so much slop in it, I really don't even want it. The case really isn't built to hold the tools once you open it up, so I guess you're supposed to just have a bunch of 1/4 sockets rolling around. Wasn't expecting tool truck quality, but damn.

I'm whining I know. I just expected it to come with all the parts and not get the run around from Lowes to return it and not loose $6 in shipping for something that wasn't my screw up.

I could have very easily gone to HF or even Walmart and gotten better tools with less hassle.

 

[zkling]

Over the last year Lowes appears to be going along with Sears..... Down the drain.

 

[woody 73]

Funny thing but in the past lowes had some great tools and now I don't know what is happening with them. I now shop more at the HD where the quality seems much better.

 

[SMKS]

Is this a special extra-cheap tool set that was created only for Christmas sales? That would explain the low quality, but not the bad packing job.

 

[scw1991]

Aren't most Kobalt tools manufactured in Taiwan and not China? I was at Home Depot recently and all their wrenches were Made in China. I said, "no thank you".

I can't imagine Lowe's would give you grief on returning this set. Their customer service department should be able to issue you an RMA number along with pre-paid postage to send it back for full refund or exchange.

 

[zkling]

Is this a special extra-cheap tool set that was created only for Christmas sales? That would explain the low quality, but not the bad packing job.

Quite a few of their budget sets are all China made, compared to piece wise items pulled off the shelf individually being Taiwan made.

 

[GreenLBZ]

It says made in China on back.

 

[scaron]

looks like about par for the course with kobalt specifically and lowe's in general; cheap junk...

 

[doan]

Kobalt unfortunately has 2 product lines: Taiwan and China. All the "promo" stuff in China. The "real" Kobalt tools made in Taiwan are good tools. All the Taiwan sockets and wrenches have blue and red lines on them to indicate metric or standard - The china tools do not.

The Taiwan wrenches, sockets, and socket wrenches are the only Kobalt tools I buy. Most of the set go on sale sometime during the year.

 

[ishiboo]

Kobalt unfortunately has 2 product lines: Taiwan and China. All the "promo" stuff in China. The "real" Kobalt tools made in Taiwan are good tools. All the Taiwan sockets and wrenches have blue and red lines on them to indicate metric or standard - The china tools do not.

The Taiwan wrenches, sockets, and socket wrenches are the only Kobalt tools I buy. Most of the set go on sale sometime during the year.

No longer the case.

Unfortunately the full sets are now being made in China, with the blue/red infilled sockets also being of Chinese origin. It appears that China is the destination for all Kobalt hand tools which were once Taiwan.

That being said, there are still distinct lines… the sockets without the blue/red infill and associated parts still seem much crappier than the blue/red ones which appear similar to, but not as nice as, the high quality Taiwan stuff.

 

[djb2]

I think that this set was part of the packaged holiday deals.

They never sold the packages at the listed price. They put them out around Thanksgiving, already marked with a yellow discount tag.

I was in Lowes this morning, mostly to see if the post-holiday tool discounts had started (not really). The Christmas special items were getting fresh clearance tags, still with the same sale price.

 

[the tool man]

I think Harbor FrIeght tools are better than Kolbolt I did use kolbolt tools and they are complete **** the 1/2 ratchet feels loose and the sockets are not firm and break easy

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using Tapatalk

 

[allinon72]

Some times you can just look at a set and know it's made for children. This is one of those times.

 

[1950mercury]

What do you want for a whopping 13 bucks

 

[erty67]

normal priced kobalt is mostly Taiwan. It's when it goes on sale all the chinese stuff shows up with the same part numbers.

 

[Farmall450]

What did you expect, Snap-on?

 

[3xpendable]

I say no thank you to lowes and hd all the time some of that **** they push is a joke

 

[ishiboo]

I think Harbor FrIeght tools are better than Kolbolt I did use kolbolt tools and they are complete **** the 1/2 ratchet feels loose and the sockets are not firm and break easy

The HF ratchets are the same as the Kobalt Taiwan ratchets. Same internals, the chrome HF ratchets have a slightly different external appearance.

normal priced kobalt is mostly Taiwan. It's when it goes on sale all the chinese stuff shows up with the same part numbers.

No, that's when the new red/blue-less sets came up for the sale sets… now the China stuff is taking over. All the open stock/most sets/etc. is mostly Taiwan yet as there's a lot of it and it sells slowly.

 

[justanengineer]

looks like about par for the course with kobalt specifically and lowe's in general; cheap junk...

+1. Kobalt was questionable quality when it was made in the US, since heading overseas its become pure junk.

 

[John316]

I never understood where the Kobalt fans are coming from. Most of it is just ok import quality, but usually EXPENSIVE. Same ratchets much cheaper from Titan/HF. heads are THICK. Chrome sockets with numbers ONLY printed on them so you have no labeling once they wear a bit. Pliers are garbage and screwdrivers are average imports..but pricy for what they are.

We all want a store brand of tools we can feel good about. Those days are gone, sad to say.

 

[ishiboo]

I never understood where the Kobalt fans are coming from. Most of it is just ok import quality, but usually EXPENSIVE. Same ratchets much cheaper from Titan/HF. heads are THICK. Chrome sockets with numbers ONLY printed on them so you have no labeling once they wear a bit. Pliers are garbage and screwdrivers are average imports..but pricy for what they are.

We all want a store brand of tools we can feel good about. Those days are gone, sad to say.

I don't think there are very many "fans" per se, just people who invested a bit in Kobalt. I did it because I bought the sockets/ratchets/etc. in sets when they were 70-80% off the ridiculous prices, they were actually a very good deal… far cheaper than HF/Titan/etc. Then add 10% off coupons, 6% cash back often from eBates, etc… it was by far the best price on some decent sets.

The pliers are Chinese junk, I have Channellock in my main boxes but for $3 a piece for some of the water pump pliers I have a 3-piece set in my junk box, one in my tractor box, and a set in each car.

Same with the screwdrivers, though the majority of the Kobalt screwdrivers are the acetate ones made in the US sold everywhere (Made in USA junk though), I have the bit drivers that came in the sets in the cars and tractor box, etc.

All my Taiwan sockets have their info cast in them, besides the laser-engraved or etched main measurement you speak of, which will last forever for my uses.

 

[erty67]

No, that's when the new red/blue-less sets came up for the sale sets… now the China stuff is taking over. All the open stock/most sets/etc. is mostly Taiwan yet as there's a lot of it and it sells slowly.

alrighty then! my local lowes seems to be restocking with Taiwan. maybe a warehouse hub loaded up. That's too bad. As a back yard mechanic I've become quite fond of Kobalt. easy warranty and store is very close.

 

[ishiboo]

alrighty then! my local lowes seems to be restocking with Taiwan. maybe a warehouse hub loaded up. That's too bad. As a back yard mechanic I've become quite fond of Kobalt. easy warranty and store is very close.

There's a ton of Taiwan out there, but take a look at some of the sets, I'm sure you'll find some China appearing in there. I wish it weren't true. The Taiwan fit/finish is almost perfect, the Chinese wrenches/sockets/ratchets that are identical in appearance to the Taiwan are NOT as good of quality at all.

 

[erty67]

There's a ton of Taiwan out there, but take a look at some of the sets, I'm sure you'll find some China appearing in there. I wish it weren't true. The Taiwan fit/finish is almost perfect, the Chinese wrenches/sockets/ratchets that are identical in appearance to the Taiwan are NOT as good of quality at all.

Agreed. I posted some pics of the hex sockets T vs C in another thread. clearly a different level of quality, but I did buy the Taiwan sets for $9.99

 

[Gmonkee]

I have a HD and AutoZone local to me. AZ has exactly the same set in two different colors and sells the rachets and adjustable seperately. Yeah they're not exactly truck brand quality but its not aimed at a line tech.

The target market is Joe Homeowner who probably only needs this little quantity of tools to do what he does. Training wheels on the kid's bike and adjust the medicine cabinet door type stuff.


Pricing is completely arbitrary and eventually they all end up in the clearance bin at a more realistic price than before.

As far as the trends go the stores will buy where they get the quantity at the price point they want. Yesterday was Taiwan, tomorrow China and next week it could be Taiwan, India or Korea. Nothing is set in stone as far as these trends go.

AZ had some Allied Taiwan made stuff in the Powerbuilt brand that was worth buying, Quality levels that made it well worth getting a few U-joints and extensions to round out a socket set or two. Then when that sold out back to the run of the mill stuff. My HD carries Stanley as the flagship brand of basic tools, and its not bad at all. They back it with the usual suspects of house brands. The prices are a bit above and beyond however.
So I buy elseplace, at least for now.

Its all about shopping around, buy what is the best value for the price. Of course it has to fit your needs too.

 

[dledinger]

Haven't bought any mechanics tools since they dropped the USA stuff. When they did I picked some 1/2 drive deep sockets on clearance. From what I can see, I agree with above...way overpriced.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I dunno if anyone caught this on sale for $13, but it's a disappointment. Normally a $30 set. I thought this would be a decent cheap stubby set since I don't have any stubby tools.

I paid $6 for shipping and it arrives in a flimsy envelop with a hole in it and parts missing, including the adapter to use the 1/4" sockets. Various other parts were loose in the bag. The adjustable wrench has so much slop in it, I really don't even want it. The case really isn't built to hold the tools once you open it up, so I guess you're supposed to just have a bunch of 1/4 sockets rolling around. Wasn't expecting tool truck quality, but damn.

I'm whining I know. I just expected it to come with all the parts and not get the run around from Lowes to return it and not loose $6 in shipping for something that wasn't my screw up.

I could have very easily gone to HF or even Walmart and gotten better tools with less hassle.

$13 dollar socket set. Why not check it out in store. I've checked out this set prior. It's um...consumer grade china. I own equal to worse stuff. Sockets are probably more than okay for 1/4" but if it's missing stuff just return it to the store (with everything you've got) and explain it to them and they should replace it. These are still current stock.

Some people and retail stores just throw tool sets in tyvek (slippery plastic type) envelopes and mail it to you. I've gotten wrench sets like this from jegs in the past month; the wrenches were okay. It annoyed me but "no harm no foul" rule eliminates the annoyance.

I'm not sure what you were expecting here. Chinese stuff isn't great fit and finish wise (worse with SETS) but it's still usable. Just better to get individuals if you buy it. I have kobalt chinese stuff...but I always check it out in store before buying.